This Week's Most Popular Stories About ADHD Medication Ritalin
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ADHD Medication - Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant medicine used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). It improves the way that parts of the brain communicate, thereby reducing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD medications can cause adverse effects, such as diminished appetite and trouble sleeping. However, the majority of these are minor and go away on their own or with time.
Dosage
Ritalin can increase levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in regulating motivation and cognition. It is a psychostimulant and has been used since decades. It is considered to be safe when used in the dosages recommended under the supervision of your doctor.
Nevertheless there have been instances of addiction and abuse when the drug is administered at therapeutic doses. Physicians must assess each patient's risk and monitor symptoms throughout the treatment. It is also important to inform patients and their families on this risk of harm and the necessity of proper disposal of any unneeded medication. Utilizing a locked medicine cabinet is a good idea, since it keeps children from gaining access and accidentally taking unused doses. It is also a good idea to advise patients not to share this medication with anyone.
This medication could trigger suicidal thoughts or behaviors especially in those who are bipolar, depressed or have a history of mental illness. Talk with your doctor right now if you exhibit any of these symptoms. This medication can also raise your blood pressure, which can cause stroke or heart problems. If you feel chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or excessive sweating, consult your physician immediately. Inform your doctor if you have is any family history of heart disease, sudden death or having suffered an accident or suffered from bleeding issues. This medication may alter your blood circulation, causing numbness or pain in your toes and fingers. It can also make it hard to sleep.
It isn't clear if the brand-name version is more effective than the generic version. However many doctors prefer the brand-name version due to its proven safety and effectiveness. It is important to keep in mind that this medication could be abused and should never be administered to anyone who does not suffer from ADHD or Narcolepsy.
Some individuals have reported that this medication performs better than other medications, but this is purely anecdotal and hasn't been proved scientifically. Some parents have said that their children react differently to name-brand versus generic methylphenidate. However, this isn't the case for all children.
Side effects
When you begin medication to treat ADHD it takes some time to find the right dose. A doctor will be able to monitor your child's body reactions and make adjustments until they can find the most effective dosage. These medicines are powerful and can have side effects, from irritability and sleep problems to severe cardiovascular events.
Ritalin is a drug that contains the active ingredient methylphenidate and is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, chemicals associated with control and attention. It also improves your concentration and decreases restlessness and hyperactivity. Ritalin can cause serious heart issues, including stroke and sudden deaths in those with certain medical conditions. These include heart rhythm disorders and high blood pressure and the possibility of cardiac arrest and cardiovascular disease.
Like other stimulant medications Ritalin can result in a decrease in appetite and weight loss. It may also cause a slight increase in the speed of your child's pulse as well as blood pressure. This can be a problem when you have a prior heart condition or other heart issues and your doctor will be on check on your blood pressure and heart rate.
Other side effects include anxiety as well as depression. These effects can affect children's behavior, which is particularly challenging for children who are still young. In some cases it can cause tics, or TouretteaEURtm(tm) which are repetitive sounds or movements such as eye blinking and throat clearing. It can also slow growth in adolescents and children. However it is usually temporary and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
There are many types of this medication, that are available on prescription only. The medication is available in the form of a tablet that is chewed, dissolved or swallowed. It is also available in the form of a capsule, which is then opened and sprinkled on liquid or food items. Some people use the formula that has a short-acting effect and lasts between three and six hours. Some people take it for a longer time which requires a higher dose.
This medication can interact with other medications such as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors. This medication may increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma which is a potentially fatal side consequence.
Interactions
Many medications can interact with other drugs or substances. This could alter their effects. Some interactions can be dangerous or even fatal. Inform your doctor about any other medications you or your child take, including supplements and vitamins as well as over-the-counter medications. Ritalin can interact with other antidepressants. This is particularly true for those that contain monoamine oxide (MAOI) inhibitors.
MAOIs increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This can cause severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts, actions, seizures, and hallucinations. Ritalin should not be taken by those who suffer from circulatory problems like Raynaud's syndrome or high blood pressure. It may also aggravate symptoms of Tourette syndrome or tics in people who suffer from these conditions.
Some fMRI studies have found that an acute dose of methylphenidate in medication responders during time discrimination and stop tasks increased activation of the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum. These changes were accompanied by normalization of underactivation in placebo and off-medication conditions in the same regions.
These results suggest that methylphenidate improves performance in the tasks of stopping and timing discrimination by increasing extracellular norepinephrine and dopamine. However, additional research on fMRI and behavior suggest that the mechanism is more complicated than the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Psychostimulants, in particular, appear to block the reuptake of dopamine in some areas, like the striatum, but not in other areas, like the frontal lobes.
In one study, a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulants decreased symptoms of ADHD in children with moderate to severe cases. In some patients, however, the combination did not work like one medication. The majority of people don't require medication to manage ADHD. Skills training and behavior therapy can help many people learn more effective strategies for coping.
Clinical trials haven't proved that the name-brand Ritalin is superior to the generic version. The two medications are chemically identical, and they are likely to have the same effect on a majority of people.
Overdose
Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin is a stimulant for the central nervous system that can improve concentration, focus and mood when used as prescribed. It can also be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy and ADD. However, like any substance that alters the brain, if it is misused or used in large quantities, an overdose can occur. This can lead to stroke, heart attack or even coma. It is important to recognize the symptoms of an overdose on Ritalin in order to prevent these symptoms and seek medical attention.
A Ritalin Overdose can be caused in many ways. One could accidentally take too many pills due to the fact that they didn't remember to redose their medication. Other substances may interact with the drug to enhance its effects, or they may be using it for recreational purposes, and not know how to dose it. In addition, long-term usage of Ritalin could lead to tolerance and psychological dependence that can cause addiction. Ritalin is not recommended by those who have an addiction history.
Anyone suffering from a Ritalin overdose should dial 911 immediately. First responders should be aware of the dose, the time it was taken, and if they have consumed any other drugs or substances. The emergency response team will then be able to determine how to treat the patient. Typically, they pump the stomach, a process known as gastric lavage, to eliminate any excess drugs from the body before it can be taken into the bloodstream.
Ritalin may trigger seizures, and anyone who click here is who is experiencing these symptoms should be monitored by medical professionals. Antiseizure and fluids can be used to treat them. Activated charcoal can also be given to the patient to prevent the drug from circulating into their body. If they are feeling hot, the staff at the hospital can cool them down by using fans and mists of water in order to prevent hyperthermia.
If you have been prescribed Ritalin put it in a location that is secure and where children cannot access it. Ask your pharmacist whether they have a return program. Don't keep any unused or expired medicine. Instead, mix the expired medication with cat litter or coffee grounds and throw it away.